Nothing but trouble
Holiday House 1999
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- prejudice and assumptions
- truth and justice
- standing up for others
- responsibility
- community
- trust
- identity
About this book
In a quiet Midwestern town, a new kid with a reputation for mischief seems to attract accidents and blame wherever he goes. When a string of incidents rattles the neighborhood, everyone is sure he’s the culprit—everyone but a classmate who isn’t convinced the story is that simple. As the two team up, they learn how easy it is to judge and how hard it is to earn trust. A fast, realistic read for middle graders who like school stories with a dash of mystery and heart.
Setting: a small Midwestern town, contemporary 1990s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nothing but trouble right for my child?
Yes — Nothing but trouble is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.2, which is typical for 4th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include friendship, prejudice and assumptions, truth and justice.
How long does it take to read Nothing but trouble?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Nothing but trouble takes around 3.1h to finish. The book has 28,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Nothing but trouble have an AR quiz?
Yes — Nothing but trouble has an AR quiz available, worth 3 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Nothing but trouble?
Nothing but trouble has an AR reading level of 4.2, which places it at a 4th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.